Are Free Vacuums a Money Suck for Car Washes?

Comparing free and paid car wash vacuums

Many drivers want to clean the interior and exterior of their cars all in one go. After they drive out of the car wash with a shiny clean car, the only thing left is a thorough vacuuming of their floors and seats.

Successful car washes all over the country cash in on washes and let customers use vacuums for free. Offering up services for free can seem intimidating, especially for smaller businesses, but there are some surprising perks.

Benefits of Free Car Wash Vacuums

The best thing vacuums can do for your business is keep the new customers coming. Offering a helpful service at no cost is one of the best advertisements in the book.

You can catch people’s eye as they drive by and next thing you know you’ve locked down a patron. It’s a great way to help people choose between you and your competitors.

Customers will always feel like they’re getting a higher value at your car wash than at a business without vacuums. Drivers will even spend more time at your location when the vacuums are free. This is because they don’t have to worry about timers running out on paid vacuums.

Complimentary amenities are also a great way to build up a supply of repeat customers. People will travel out of their way to use your business if they know you offer all of the services they need.

Downsides of Free Car Wash Vacuums

Car wash businesses have been benefiting from offering free vacuums for years. But there are still some risks involved with implementing this service.

Customers will always benefit from freebies but for your business it’s a cost that doesn’t have a guaranteed reward. It will also take time before the vacuums begin to pay off.

Your vacuums will cost money upfront to buy and install. Later on you’ll have to worry about maintenance costs. There will be some staffing costs but because they are self-serve, those costs should be minimal.

Benefits of Paid Car Wash Vacuums

Offering vacuums doesn’t have to be all or nothing, you could install paid systems instead. Customers could use cash, cards or coins to access your vacuums instead of having ones that are open to anyone. You could also lump vacuum costs in monthly subscriptions or car wash costs.

Charging for vacuums is an easy profit that requires very little staffing after installation. It helps round out your services and gives people the ability to leave with fully cleaned cars.

Downsides of Paid Car Wash Vacuums

If you’re planning on having customers pay to use vacuums at your car wash, there are a few things to keep in mind. If your visitors are paying for their service they will expect a higher quality. A bad or poorly maintained vacuum could spark negative reviews or cause customers to not return.

Paid vacuums can also put you behind competitors who are offering free vacuums. It can be hard to draw in customers if others nearby have more free amenities.

Lastly, most paid car wash vacuums have a timer in order to limit the service. This could discourage customers because it can make them feel rushed while cleaning their cars.

Bringing a Different Kind of Vacuum to Your Car Wash

Pit Crew specializes in car wash vacuums, but not the kind you’re offering to customers. Instead, our team travels to your business to vacuum out your car wash pits.

The pits in your wash bays fill with sludge and can make it impossible for dirty water and mud to drain after each wash. Eventually the pits can even start to smell.

Start with the basics and ensure your car wash bays are open, operational and clean. Contact Pit Crew to set up a quick and efficient pit cleaning.